[Hematological and serum biochemical parameters in anemic dogs]

Anemia is a common disorder in domestic pet animals, usually encountered in veterinary clinics. The objective of this study was to evaluate the hematological and serum biochemical parameters of the anemic dogs and to show practically the value of measuring the corrected reticulocyte percentage [CRP]. A survey was conducted on 500 dogs which referred to small animal hospital of the faculty of veterinary medicine of Tehran university. From this population, a group of 139 anemic dogs was selected with PCV less than 37% and 20 healthy dogs as control group. They were examined for the hematological parameters [RBC, Hb, PCV, MCV, MCHC, RDW, WBC, PLT, Dif, reticulocyte percentage and corrected reticulocyte percentage] and serum biochemical factors [Fe, alanine amino transferase activity,creatinine, total protein and glucose]. The anemic dogs were divided into 3 anemic groups based on MCV and MCHC: microcytic hypochromic [1.44%], microcytic normochromic [21.59%] and normocytic normochromic [76.97%]. A comparison survey was conducted between the results of the 3 anemic and control groups by one way ANOVA and Tukey test. The measurement of hematological parameters indicated that RBC, Hb and PCV decreased significantly in all anemic dogs. The results showed that RDW of microcytic hypochromic group increased significantly compared to control. The reticulocyte percentage of all anemic groups was significantly different from control group, but calculation of CRP showed there was only significant difference between normocytic-normochromic and control groups. One way ANOVA indicated that serum Fe in microcytic-hypochromic group and serum creatinine in normocytic-normochromic group significantly decreased and increased, respectively. Total protein of all groups is significantly decreased compared to control group. There were no significant changes for the other parameters. Based on the result, it is suggested that CRP and biochemical parameters be measured such as: creatinine, total protein, ALT and glucose in addition to CBC, in all anemic dogs

Identification of theileria species in sheep in the eastern half of Iran using nested PCR-RFLP and microscopic techniques

Theileria species are common in tropical and subtropica regions and cause great economical losses in ruminants. Two species, T. lestoquardi and T. ovis, are suspected to cause ovine theileriosis in Iran. The epidemiological aspects of ovine theileriosis in Iran are poorly understood and further investigations by sensitive and precise techniques are required. In a previous study, a sensitive and specific PCR-RFLP method was used for the identification of Theileria spp. in sheep. In the present study, Theileria species involved in ovine theileriosis were determined in five different regions in eastern half of Iran [Zabol, Lar, Ferdows, Semnan and Gorgan]. Blood samples were collected in EDTa. Of 220 blood samples obtained from sheep in different regions, 60% [132.220] were positive for Theileria spp. by nested-PCR compared with 22.27% different regions, 60% [132.220] were positive for Theileria spp. by nested-PCR compare with 22.27% [49.220] by microscopic examination. Using RFLP of PCR products, out of 132 positive blood samples, 55.3% [73.132] were positive for T. lestoquardi and 44.7% [59.132] were positive for T.ovis. The infection with these two Theileria species in different areas is compared in the article. This is the first report in which ovine theileriosis has been studied in different regions in Iran using molecular identification techniques

Adaptation of an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay by purified gp51SU for detection of antibodies to bovine leukemia virus

The objective of this study was to compare an indirect ELISA, based on a purified 60 kDa envelope glycoprotein [gp51SU], with a Pourquire indirect ELISA for the detection of antibodies to the bovine leukemia virus. For conducting this research, 340 serum samples were collected from two different breeds of cows [Sarabi and Holestin] in different herds. Commercial ELISA revealed positive results in 17 [7%] Holstein cows. An appropriate ELISA cut-off was determined by receiver operating curve [ROC] analysis in comparison with commercial indirect ELISA. Results showed a relative sensitivity and specificity of 97% and 92%, respectively, for a cut-off value of 0.34 in the domestic ELISA. In conclusion, the results of the present study showed that domestic developed kit can be used for diagnosis of bovine leukemia virus with appropriate sensitivity and specificity. In addition, a comparison of the results from a native breed, Sarabi, with Holstein showed that there was no significant [P>0.05] difference in the frequency of infection with BLV between the two breeds

effect of the feed deprivation periods on total immunuglobolins production and lymphocytes percentage in pullets and cockerels of broiler breeder

The aim of the present study was to compare different periods of feed deprivation [day number of starvation in four physical feed restriction programs] on total immunuglobulins and lymphocytes percentage in pullets and cockerels of broiler breeder. A 4X2 factorial experiment based on a completely random design. 160 pullets and 160 cockerels of broiler breeder. Feed intake content weekly was the same for all feed restriction programs and daily feed content according to feed restriction program. During 3 to 20 weeks, chicks were treated with feed restriction programs including daily [without starvation], five days a week, six days a week and skip-a-day. Total immunuglobolins content was determined in the 16

h week and 21

t week and lymphocytes percentage was determined in the end of the breeder period. Analysis of variance and mean comparison was conducted. The period of feed deprivation in week had no significant effect on lymphocytes percentage. In the 16

h week, total immunuglobulins content significantly increased in birds with the highest period of feed deprivation in week [skip-a-day program], in comparison with other treatments. Results of the experiments showed that feed restriction can enhance total immunuglobulins in birds but there is not an evident trend in relation with the feed deprivation period in the feed restriction programs and total immunuglobulins

[Survey on the clinicopathological changes in experimental infestation to Haemonchus contortus in sheep]

Objective: study on haematological and biochemical parameters and pathologic changes in experimental infestation to Haemonchus contortus in sheep

Design: experimental study

Animals: fourteen lambs, 5-6 months old [Two as egg donors, eight for experimental infestation and four as control]

Method: for experimental infestation, eight lambs [5-6 months old] that had no worm infestation were selected and 50000 of thirdstage larvae of Haemonchus contortus were fed to each of them. Four other lambs [control group] received placebo. In order to study the development and clinicopathologic changes, daily stool and blood samples were taken, weight was recorded, lambs were examined for clinical symptoms and slaughtered on days 12,21,35 and 60 post infestation [PI]. Abomasal pH was meseared and microscopic sections were prepared

Statistical analysis: results were analysed by ANOVA, Duncan and "t" test

Results: no clinical symptoms were found in the animals during this study however the body weight, monitored during 60 days PI indicate a difference between live weight in the treatments. Statistically significant differences were observed in haemoglobulin, concentration, haematocrit, white blood cells count, neutrophil, lymphocyte, eosinophil, total protein, albumine, alpha globulins, and calcium between control and infested groups [P<0.05]. Both infested and control groups had no differences in serum phosphorous, magnesium, alkaline phosphatase, beta globulins and gama globulins levels [P<0.05]. The comparison between infested and control sheep abomasal pH showed an increased pH in affected sheep. Abomasal necropsy findings were inflammation associated with mononuclear cells and eosinophilia. Lymphoblastic and follicular inflammation were seen in micrspcopic study

Conclusion: infestation to Haemonchus contortus were causes remarkable changes in haematological and biochemical parameters